I love it when two completely different business entities partner to collaborate on something much greater than the sum of its parts. That is what interior designer, Lisa McDennon, and gallery owner, Karen Tobin, recently did at 206 N. Coast Hwy in Laguna Beach. Curated art collections are paired seamlessly with one-of-a-kind custom designed furnishings, textiles and handmade items. For more information, go to gallerymccollum.com and lisamcdennon.com.

Last night I was taking some guests on my HIP District Tour and they said they wished they would have taken my tour on the first day of their vacation. They only have 3 more days in town and want to go to many of the restaurants and shops I showed them. Sign up for my tour for things to do, places to eat, shop and stay, from a local's perspective.

As I was giving my HIP District tour this morning, we came across the cutest dog ever! The owner said she was recently attacked by a larger dog so now they are so protective they take her everywhere in their stroller to keep her close.

Thank you Tracy at Laguna Gallery of Contemporary Art (LGOCA) for your wonderful presentation to my tour guests! Also, thank you for the spa water. It was a perfect refresher for the final stretch of the tour.

Come on a fun two-hour Laguna Beach Walks tour and you will see the best of Laguna Beach. Art, history, architecture and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean are in store for you. Go to LagunaBeachWalks.com to sign up for the Hip District Tour or the Heisler/Downtown Tour.

One of the few remaining independently owned bookstores in Orange County is here in town. Laguna Beach Books has a 7-foot-tall replica of the Lifeguard Tower as their focal point. If you want some reading material for the beach, you can find it here.

”Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures.” -- Henry Ward Beecher. As I was walking in Heisler Park tonight trying to decompress from a very busy work day, I met Kirk Phillips, a plein air painter. Loved seeing his brushes standing at attention ready to be of service. Check Kirk out at kirkphillipsartist.blogspot.com.

Is Jesus a woman? When the Pageant of the Masters started in 1933 in Laguna Beach, they couldn't find a man with the facial features required to be cast as Jesus in "The Last Supper". For the first 10 years, Jesus was a woman. I'm not sure what gender is cast this year, but I am sure it is a production not to be missed!